"But Pan Sufchinski must be dead," remarked Volodyovski.
"He is surely dead."
"Who will take the lieutenancy then? The banneret is a stripling, and performs the duties only since the battle at Konstantinoff."
This question remained unanswered; but the colonel himself, Skshetuski, brought the answer to it when he returned.
"My dear sir," said he to Pan Podbipienta, "the prince has appointed you lieutenant."
"Oh, my God, my God!" groaned Pan Longin, placing his hands together as if in prayer.
"He might as well have appointed his Livonian mare," muttered Zagloba.
"Well, and the scouting-party?" asked Volodyovski,
"We shall go without delay," answered Skshetuski.
"Has the prince given orders to take many troops?"